Best of Finland and Arctic Norway: Capercaillie to Owls - May 2026
Dates: May 16 - June 1, 2026
Leader: Andrew Whittaker
E-bird
Total Species: 198 birds
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Overall Summary
Our spring adventure through Finland and Arctic Norway—one of northern Europe’s most varied and exciting wildlife destinations—was a tremendous success. Guided by our outstanding local leaders, Pirita and Jari, we recorded 200 bird species while witnessing the remarkable burst of Arctic life as birds displayed, sang, and nested across Lapland’s spectacular landscapes. From boreal forests and endless lakes to tundra, fjords, and seabird-clad cliffs, every day brought new discoveries.
We began in Oulu with a quest for Finland’s famous owls. Success came quickly, with excellent views of Boreal Owl and Eurasian Pygmy Owl, followed by nesting Ural Owl and an immense female Great Gray Owl. Sharp eyes also located a roosting Eurasian Eagle-Owl, completing a remarkable owl lineup.
At Liminka Bay, one of Finland’s premier wetland reserves, we enjoyed displaying Ruffs, Black-tailed Godwits, Common Cranes, Garganey, Wood Sandpipers, and several soaring White-tailed Eagles. Nearby forests, lakes, and farmland produced Pallid Harrier, Arctic Loon, Ortolan Bunting, Whinchat, and an impressive collection of woodpeckers, including Eurasian Three-toed and Gray-headed. We also encountered Wild Forest Reindeer as we traveled northeast toward Kuusamo.
Known as Finland’s grouse capital, Kuusamo delivered memorable views of Western Capercaillie, Black Grouse, and Willow Ptarmigan. Other highlights included Rustic Bunting, Parrot Crossbill, Brambling, Siberian Jay, Willow Tit, Red-flanked Bluetail, and White-throated Dipper. Scenic trails rewarded us with blooming Calypso Orchids and Little Buntings, while lakes held Red-necked Grebes, Velvet Scoter, Smew, and Little Gulls in breeding plumage.
Continuing north through the forests and bogs of Lapland, we celebrated crossing the Arctic Circle before entering Norway, where the midnight sun illuminated a landscape of snow-covered highlands, blue lakes, and vast tundra. Here we enjoyed Northern Hawk Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, Long-tailed Jaeger, Rock Ptarmigan, Eurasian Golden Plover, Bluethroat, Snow Bunting, Horned Lark, and Lapland Longspur.
The Varanger region proved exceptional. Along the Teno River and coastal tundra, we found Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Phalaropes, Red-throated Loons, Bar-tailed Godwits, and large flocks of eiders and geese. One unforgettable highlight was watching a female Gyrfalcon feeding three young at an active nest.
A visit to Hornøya Island was as spectacular as ever. Surrounded by immense flocks of Common Murres, we stepped ashore among thousands of breeding seabirds. Atlantic Puffins stole the show, while European Shags, Thick-billed and Common Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Razorbills, and Rock Pipits provided endless photographic opportunities.
Additional days exploring the Norwegian coast and tundra added Parasitic Jaeger, Black Guillemot, Long-tailed Duck, Temminck’s Stint, Red-throated Pipit, and Eurasian Whimbrel. A scenic excursion to Hamningberg, at the edge of Europe, rewarded us with Yellow-billed Loon, Northern Gannet, Bluethroat, and Northern Wheatear. On our return south, Pirita worked her usual magic, finding Ring Ouzel, Red Knot, Sanderling, Gray-headed Chickadee, and Black Woodpecker.
Before leaving Lapland, we enjoyed close views of confiding Eurasian Dotterels on the tundra. We then flew south to Helsinki and settled into our forest retreat near Nuuksio National Park. The wetlands, reedbeds, forests, and estuaries around Helsinki added a new suite of species, including Thrush Nightingale, Citrine Wagtail, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Great Reed Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Grasshopper Warbler, Icterine Warbler, and Tawny Owl.
Early morning birding brought excellent views of Corncrake, Wryneck, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, and Hawfinch, providing a fitting finale to an outstanding tour.
This was a truly memorable journey through two magnificent Arctic countries. Together we enjoyed exceptional wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and many of Scandinavia’s most sought-after birds. It was a pleasure to share this adventure with such a wonderful group, and we look forward to returning again.
Day-by-Day Summary
May 16 - Flying into Finland
May 17 - Arriving in Helsinki and internal flight onto Oulu.
May 18 - Birding for Owls and visiting the Liminka Bay Wetland Reserve.
May 19 - Birding the Oulu area for woodpeckers & owls.
May 20 - Birding on route to Kuusamo.
May 21 - Birding for grouse in the Kuusamo area and Ruka.
May 22 - Visiting Oulanka National Park area.
May 23 - Traveling north crossing the Arctic Circle and onto Ivalo.
May 24 - Continuing north with stops at the famous bird café before entering Norway and crossing over the wintery hilly tundra and dropping down into the quaint fishing town of Batsfjord.
May 25 - Heading across the peninsular along the coast to northern outpost of Valdo.
May 26 - Hornoya Island and around Vardo visiting the famous Steilneset Memorial for the witches.
May 27 - Excursion to the Hamningberg point and birding Vardo.
May 28 - Returning south to Ivalo.
May 29 - Drive to Rovaniemi for our flight south to Helsinki. Transfer to our hotel in Espoo.
May 30 - Birding Helsinki areas and Espoo.
May 31 - Helsinki areas and Espoo.
June 1 - Transfer to Helsinki for homebound flights.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
European Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius) – Andy only
Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus)
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) – Cute in an odd way.
Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) – So cool!
Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) - Such a cool looker and magical studies of winter coats and a few red summer coats!
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) – Some only.
Stoat (Mustela erminea) – One seen well but quickly.
Moose (Alces alces)
Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) – Commonest deer.
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) - Introduced
Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)
Finnish Forest Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus)
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Gray Seal (Halichoerus grypus) – A few.
BUTTERFLIES:
Green Hairstreak
Blue sp (several species)
Peacock Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell
Orange Tip